ABOUT PROJECTS

How do I open a NetBeans project in IntelliJ IDEA?

When the Import Project wizard opens,
select the Create project from existing sources option and
then follow the instructions of the wizard.

IntelliJ IDEA will add the necessary definition files (the .idea directory)
to your project directory.
The NetBeans .nbproject directory and build.xml will remain untouched,
and you'll be able to use IntelliJ IDEA along with NetBeans.

During the import IntelliJ IDEA will fix missing libraries,
add facets for different Web frameworks and create a run configuration.

If you are using Maven with NetBeans and you want to import a Maven project into IntelliJ IDEA,
select File | Open and then select your project's pom.xml.
You'll still need to configure a run configuration,
however, all project dependencies will get resolved.

The Run button is disabled. How do I run my application?

If you have a Java class with a main() method, open the corresponding file in the editor,
right-click the editing area and select Run '<FileName>.main()'.
As a result, the necessary run configuration will be created automatically and then executed.

You can also create run configurations yourself:
e.g. Run | Edit Configurations | , etc.

ABOUT THE EDITOR

Can I use the NetBeans key bindings in IntelliJ IDEA?

In the right-hand part of the dialog, next to Keymaps,
select NetBeans 6.5 from the list.

Click OK.

How does code completion in IntelliJ IDEA work?

The code completion suggestion list appears automatically after you type one or two letters.
To narrow down this list, use:

Ctrl+Space.
The list is reduced to keywords and also the names of classes, methods and fields
available in the current context.
Note that the list changes
when you press Ctrl+Space for the second or third time.

Ctrl+Shift+Space.
Only the types appropriate for the current context are shown.

Is local history in IntelliJ IDEA any different from that in NetBeans?

Local history in IntelliJ IDEA, generally, is more detailed.
Whatever you do with a directory, file, class, method or field, or a code block is
reflected in your local history. The local history also includes VCS operations.

(The corresponding functionality is available only in IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate.
The Community Edition doesn't provide integration with application servers.)

ABOUT PLUGINS

Can I use NetBeans plugins in IntelliJ IDEA?

Unfortunately not.
However, a lot of functionality implemented as plugins for NetBeans is available in IntelliJ IDEA
"out of the box".
Besides, there's a lot of plugins for IntelliJ IDEA, so you can always find
an IntelliJ IDEA plugin with the functionality similar to
that of your favorite NetBeans plugin.

How do I find the plugin that I need?

All the functions related to working with plugins are
on the Plugins page of the Settings dialog
(Ctrl+Alt+S| Plugins).
You can look for, download, install and update the plugins as well as enable and disable them.